Pacers handle the Heat

The Indiana Pacers won big over the Miami Heat tonight in front of a nearly sold out Banker Life Fieldhouse.  This win was something special as the Pacers came out and took the early lead.  The Heat never seemed to be out of the game but the Pacers were sure to control the tempo all night.  Big plays like Roy Hibbert blocking various shots, Darren Collison slamming down a dunk and Captain Barbosa hitting three, three pointers off the bench gave the crowd something to cheer about tonight.

It was the first time this year that Granger had a big night against the Heat - averaging just 9.3 points in the first three meetings; Granger lead the Pacers in scoring with 25.  This Indiana team also won the game because they played solid defense holding the Heat to 90 points.  The first two games in which the Heat destroyed the Pacers we gave up well over a 100 points in each of those games.  The previous two games the Pacers only gave up 85 and 90 points, respectively - winning one game and falling by only two points in the other game.

This Pacers team is starting to come together behind the great play of Danny Granger and Roy Hibbert.  Darren Collison has finally found his stride scoring 20 points tonight.  David West continues to be a strong team leader and the bench is lead by the Captain Barbosa and George Hill.  Paul George showed constraint and maturity tonight when he pulled back from a potential dunk with less then 30 seconds left in the game.

Overall tonight was a huge win for the Pacers as a team and their fan base winning 105 to 90 after 48 minutes of regulation.  Despite having issues with some of the elite teams this year the Pacers have had their fair share of success and look to be gelling at the right time.

P.S. Was that not the most amazing shot by Paul George at the end of the 2nd quarter? BOOM BABY!

Keys to tonight's win:
1) Defense
2) Good, selfless ball movement
3) Danny Granger being a team leader   


Indy Minute Player of the Game:
Darren Collison - The realitively little guy throw down a dunk and had 20 points, enough said.

Back of the Napkin Stats
All of the Pacers starts had double digit scoring nights
Both Paul George and David West had a double double
Barbosa lead the bench with 14 points and 3 for 7 from behind the arch